Al Franken Just Destroyed Republicans For Selling Out Children’s Education For Campaign Funding

The Senate confirmed Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education on Tuesday. Democrats had spent the 24-hours leading up to the vote in a marathon debate session on the Senate floor in the hopes of getting just one more Republican to vote against her. This effort, though valiant, was in vain.

Sen. Al Franken released a scathing statement following the senate’s vote to confirm DeVos as education secretary. He blasted the Republicans who chose to back her despite the fact that she doesn’t have the slightest clue how to actually benefit children’s education, all because she is a megadonor.

One of the most important jobs in our government is the Secretary of Education, who directly oversees the policies that children, teachers, school administrators, and entire communities depend on. It’s not a job for amateurs who don’t know the first thing about education. I voted against the nomination of Betsy DeVos, a billionaire Republican donor, because she is the most incompetent cabinet-level nominee I have ever seen. Last night, I urged my Republican colleagues to oppose her nomination, because if we cannot set party loyalty aside long enough to perform the essential duty of vetting the President’s nominees, then I don’t know what we are even doing here. Betsy DeVos has demonstrated that she is fundamentally unqualified to lead the Education Department, and it’s a shame that Republicans voted to confirm one of their major donors instead of looking out for our children.

Senate Republicans have just sold our children’s future to the highest bidder. Franken is right. DeVos is “fundamentally unqualified” to be in charge of public education and this is indeed a shameful day for those that chose money over our children.

Franken made his opposition to DeVos public after her confirmation hearing. (You know, the hearing where she said schools need guns in case of grizzly bear attacks.) He took part in the 24-hour marathon. Speaking at the all-night debate, he urged his fellow senators to vote against DeVos. You can watch video of his speech, here.